Hi,

Can anyone tell me what the latest stable version of PageStream is. I am still using version 5.0.2.10 Pro after side-grading from the Amiga version a few years ago. It's mostly great, but it crashes unexpectedly from time to time.

Also, is there a way to "test install" new versions of PageStream without uninstalling my older, known-working, version? I don't want to install an update and then discover I like my old version better only to find the new version has overwritten my old version.

Thanks,
Brent

Well Brent,

you have upgraded to ??? (Windows, Linux, Macintosh)

Anyway, you can install the latest and greatest (although named beta)
from 2010 (any updates soon Deron?).

Just land it anywhere in a new folder on your harddisk. Nothing will be
overwritten!
You can double click PGS (.exe) from that folder, et voila.. you have
another PGS working. PGS doesn't like to be working side by side, so
close one, open another. (You can make a short cut from that PGS.exe on
your workbench - or whatever it is called)

Because you have an older PGS version working on your computer, the 'new
PGS' remembers everything you did with the 'old PGS'.

Good luck,

Theo

Op 5-5-2012 17:30, Brent schreef:
> Hi,
>
> Can anyone tell me what the latest stable version of PageStream is. I am still using version 5.0.2.10 Pro after side-grading from the Amiga version a few years ago. It's mostly great, but it crashes unexpectedly from time to time.
>
> Also, is there a way to "test install" new versions of PageStream without uninstalling my older, known-working, version? I don't want to install an update and then discover I like my old version better only to find the new version has overwritten my old version.
>
> Thanks,
> Brent
>
>

--
PageStream Pro 5.0.5.8 on Windows 7 Pro 64 bits (Dutch), Python 2.7.2 and PySide 1.1.0
AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 215 Processor at 2.70 GHz and 4 GB RAM

As Theo said, you just download, extract and run -- since there's no installer and no registry dependencies it "just works". Its a great setup that the only "gotcha" is all versions will share the same prefs file. That's fine as well as Deron knows how to do this stuff so there's no chance of a newer version writing a prefs file that chokes an older version.

In terms of stable: I'm on the most recent "beta". Those labels (alpha, beta, release) are arbitrary and determined by marketing (in the case of PgS, just how Deron feels about it). Generally a newer release is better than the previous due to enhancements, improvements and/or bug fixes. Sometimes bugs are introduced, but if it has been out for quite a while then its pretty stable.

The issues I have are fallout from using PgS on 64-bit linux, or from using OS X Lion. For example, on Lion when text is selected the highlight makes things black-on-black. But that is Apple's fault, not Deron's (though he is the one who has to try and find a workaround), and PgS is not the only application that has been afflicted by this sort of problem.

I mostly use PgS on Windows for testing -- PgS on OS X is currently my work horse (and that is with the issues present in Lion) -- so I can't speak as well as Theo to how well it performs. One thing I will note is that PgS's autosave is a blessing. I don't see crashes that often with PgS, but just a day or so ago it blew up and the last save was an hour ago. Thankfully, PgS autosave had kicked in just prior. Apparently it hadn't completed the autosave as the most recent autosave file had a .tmp instead of .pgs extension: but PgS loaded it just fine. That made me *very* happy

Tim Doty

On May 5, 2012, at 10:30 AM, Brent wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Can anyone tell me what the latest stable version of PageStream is. I am still using version 5.0.2.10 Pro after side-grading from the Amiga version a few years ago. It's mostly great, but it crashes unexpectedly from time to time.
>
> Also, is there a way to "test install" new versions of PageStream without uninstalling my older, known-working, version? I don't want to install an update and then discover I like my old version better only to find the new version has overwritten my old version.
>
> Thanks,
> Brent
>
>

Okay, I installed the latest version of PageStream for Windows from the PageStream website. Now when I try to start BME I get the following message in a window:

sortmacrotable count:42

...when I close this window BME shuts down. BME is not useable (locked) when the window with this message is open.

Can anyone help?

Hi Brent,

I wonder why you use BME.
BME hasn't been updated since, who knows when (2002?). There are better
replacements for it.

So under what circumstances can't you start BME?
* double click on the exe in the PGS folder? Try your BME.exe in the
other folder (older PGS version).
* send to the editor? Python is working?

Theo

Op 6-5-2012 16:15, Brent schreef:
> Okay, I installed the latest version of PageStream for Windows from the PageStream website. Now when I try to start BME I get the following message in a window:
>
> sortmacrotable count:42
>
> ...when I close this window BME shuts down. BME is not useable (locked) when the window with this message is open.
>
> Can anyone help?
>

--
PageStream Pro 5.0.5.8 on Windows 7 Pro 64 bits (Dutch), Python 2.7.2 and PySide 1.1.0
AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 215 Processor at 2.70 GHz and 4 GB RAM

--- In PageStreamSupport@yahoogroups.com, Theo Zweers <tjzwrs@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Brent,
>
> I wonder why you use BME.
> BME hasn't been updated since, who knows when (2002?). There are better replacements for it.

I understand why Brent is using BME ... because it is supplied with PageStream Windows and as such should work, but like Brent I have the same error message cropping up, and of course BME is unusable, which needs fixing.

If it supplied with a current version then it should be capable of being used with that version or it is not fit for purpose and as such is not of merchantable quality, and should be subject to Trade Descriptions enforcement, if someone wanted to take that route.

I don't know why you seem to point the 'blame' at Brent for bothering to use it when it should be capable of working. I would much prefer to read someone saying ... yes you're right that needs fixing, but have you tried ... instead of giving the guy a verbal bashing for not being able to use something that should work within the PageStream package.

You really should be offering support to someone having problems with part of the package you have presumably also paid for and use. It's a matter of principle that the package should work as a whole not just some of it.
>
> So under what circumstances can't you start BME?

Presumably like Brent ... certainly in my case ... under any circumstances it won't work, as it shows up the error Brent mentioned and on closing the error window the program exits.

> * double click on the exe in the PGS folder? Try your BME.exe in the other folder (older PGS version).

I only have the 5.0.5.8 version of PageStream Windows so I can't try another version of BME, Brent maybe luckier, but I have the one version available, and it doesn't work ... but it should, and requires to be fixed.

> * send to the editor? Python is working?

I thought Python was for programming not for image manipulation, unless of course you mean Brent should program a new image conversion/manipulation package so he can use it in PageStream !! Or, did you just mean he should learn to write a Python script to activate an already existing Amiga program to link to it when he needs an image package in PageStream. To some, learning a programming language is a daunting task, and as the PageStream package comes with BME it should be working, and should not require someone to have to take on a task of learning to program, as that is what you have paid the price of the package for ... for someone else to have done the programming already.

I haven't been able to offer Brent any 'help' but I am certainly there to offer him support, and confirm the BME package does not function properly, and is basically unusable, which requires work to get it fixed, and not by Brent or me.

Neil
>
> Theo
>
> Op 6-5-2012 16:15, Brent schreef:
> > Okay, I installed the latest version of PageStream for Windows from the PageStream website. Now when I try to start BME I get the following message in a window:
> >
> > sortmacrotable count:42
> >
> > ...when I close this window BME shuts down. BME is not useable (locked) when the window with this message is open.
> >
> > Can anyone help?
> >
>
>
> --
> PageStream Pro 5.0.5.8 on Windows 7 Pro 64 bits (Dutch), Python 2.7.2 and PySide 1.1.0
> AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 215 Processor at 2.70 GHz and 4 GB RAM
>

Hi Neil,

if I was bashing Brent, my mail wouldn't open with 'Hi Brent'. So no
bashing anyone!

BME hasn't been updated since a long time, and it is becoming long in tooth.
Almost any graphic program does it, nowadays, better than BME.
What I use?
Windows!
Bitmap: An old CorelDraw 11 (CorelPaint), an old Paint Shop Pro 6.
Vector: latest Inkscape and that old CorelDraw, but most of my work in PGS!
In the public domain are more programs.

So if Brent is using a different platform, he has no use of these...

If Brent starts BME with 'Send to Editor', he must have Python working!
Otherwise it won't work in any case (so, no image package design).
However if he did start BME.exe...

Anyway, I can start BME.exe. Since this version of PGS is already 2
years old, I can't remember if I copied an older BME version in my folder.
I cannot open anything with BME. I think I could, when I had the 32 bit
Windows 7.
However, I can't quit BME. No way! I have to use the Windows task
manager. I use the 64 bit Window 7.

If I seem to be a bit harsh on you, Neil, it is because you came too
quickly to a conclusion.
I can't help directly if anyone asking a question, not giving his
platform or PGS version (for instance see far below: you get my
configuration).
Since you are Amigaman, you probably are using an Amiga. Or you are
still using this nickname, even when you are nowadays using ... (sort of
platform).

All the best, Neil.

Theo - was the owner of A1000, A2000, A3000

Op 6-5-2012 20:38, Amigaman schreef:
>
> --- In PageStreamSupport@yahoogroups.com, Theo Zweers<tjzwrs@...> wrote:
>> Hi Brent,
>>
>> I wonder why you use BME.
>> BME hasn't been updated since, who knows when (2002?). There are better replacements for it.
> I understand why Brent is using BME ... because it is supplied with PageStream Windows and as such should work, but like Brent I have the same error message cropping up, and of course BME is unusable, which needs fixing.
>
> If it supplied with a current version then it should be capable of being used with that version or it is not fit for purpose and as such is not of merchantable quality, and should be subject to Trade Descriptions enforcement, if someone wanted to take that route.
>
> I don't know why you seem to point the 'blame' at Brent for bothering to use it when it should be capable of working. I would much prefer to read someone saying ... yes you're right that needs fixing, but have you tried ... instead of giving the guy a verbal bashing for not being able to use something that should work within the PageStream package.
>
> You really should be offering support to someone having problems with part of the package you have presumably also paid for and use. It's a matter of principle that the package should work as a whole not just some of it.
>> So under what circumstances can't you start BME?
> Presumably like Brent ... certainly in my case ... under any circumstances it won't work, as it shows up the error Brent mentioned and on closing the error window the program exits.
>
>> * double click on the exe in the PGS folder? Try your BME.exe in the other folder (older PGS version).
> I only have the 5.0.5.8 version of PageStream Windows so I can't try another version of BME, Brent maybe luckier, but I have the one version available, and it doesn't work ... but it should, and requires to be fixed.
>
>> * send to the editor? Python is working?
> I thought Python was for programming not for image manipulation, unless of course you mean Brent should program a new image conversion/manipulation package so he can use it in PageStream !! Or, did you just mean he should learn to write a Python script to activate an already existing Amiga program to link to it when he needs an image package in PageStream. To some, learning a programming language is a daunting task, and as the PageStream package comes with BME it should be working, and should not require someone to have to take on a task of learning to program, as that is what you have paid the price of the package for ... for someone else to have done the programming already.
>
> I haven't been able to offer Brent any 'help' but I am certainly there to offer him support, and confirm the BME package does not function properly, and is basically unusable, which requires work to get it fixed, and not by Brent or me.
>
> Neil
>> Theo
>>
>> Op 6-5-2012 16:15, Brent schreef:
>>> Okay, I installed the latest version of PageStream for Windows from the PageStream website. Now when I try to start BME I get the following message in a window:
>>>
>>> sortmacrotable count:42
>>>
>>> ...when I close this window BME shuts down. BME is not useable (locked) when the window with this message is open.
>>>
>>> Can anyone help?
>>>
>>

--
PageStream Pro 5.0.5.8 on Windows 7 Pro 64 bits (Dutch), Python 2.7.2 and PySide 1.1.0
AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 215 Processor at 2.70 GHz and 4 GB RAM

On 06/05/2012 20:21, Theo Zweers wrote:
> Hi Neil,
>
> if I was bashing Brent, my mail wouldn't open with 'Hi Brent'. So no
> bashing anyone!
>
> BME hasn't been updated since a long time, and it is becoming long in tooth.
> Almost any graphic program does it, nowadays, better than BME.

Well I have to support Brent here (though I have not done any updating
for a while and my version of BME does work). I still use BME for some
jobs despite possessing PaintShop Pro XI as I find it easy to use for a
particular job and not `overcomplicated`

> What I use?
> Windows!
> Bitmap: An old CorelDraw 11 (CorelPaint), an old Paint Shop Pro 6.
> Vector: latest Inkscape and that old CorelDraw, but most of my work in PGS!
> In the public domain are more programs.

--
Tony Cooke
First Generation Google+
Motorola Defy user
www.tonycooke.co.uk
Nothing is foolproof because fools are so ingenious

well…

My take is that if BME is distributed with PgS it should work. OTOH, it does help a lot to have more information than just an error message. While the code is basically the same between platforms there is plenty of room for different gotchas on different platforms.

I'm not in a position to check BME on windows at the moment and I don't recall if it is even available on linux or OSX. For linux I always use the Gimp and on OSX I use Photoshop. I'm not knocking someone for trying to use part of the PgS package (see the first sentence), but I suspect few people use BME. In consequence, I'm betting Deron gets little feedback on it, which in turn means there may be bugs he isn't aware of.

In any case, I just checked and I don't have it on OSX. Could be that it isn't distributed, could also be that I just didn't bother putting it into the Applications folder as I'll never use it.

Tim Doty

On May 6, 2012, at 2:44 PM, Tony Cooke wrote:

> On 06/05/2012 20:21, Theo Zweers wrote:
> > Hi Neil,
> >
> > if I was bashing Brent, my mail wouldn't open with 'Hi Brent'. So no
> > bashing anyone!
> >
> > BME hasn't been updated since a long time, and it is becoming long in tooth.
> > Almost any graphic program does it, nowadays, better than BME.
>
> Well I have to support Brent here (though I have not done any updating
> for a while and my version of BME does work). I still use BME for some
> jobs despite possessing PaintShop Pro XI as I find it easy to use for a
> particular job and not `overcomplicated`
>
>
>
> > What I use?
> > Windows!
> > Bitmap: An old CorelDraw 11 (CorelPaint), an old Paint Shop Pro 6.
> > Vector: latest Inkscape and that old CorelDraw, but most of my work in PGS!
> > In the public domain are more programs.
>
> --
> Tony Cooke
> First Generation Google+
> Motorola Defy user
> www.tonycooke.co.uk
> Nothing is foolproof because fools are so ingenious
>